Two Mosques Vandalized in Hawthorne California

In Hawthorne, California, the police have been called to investigate the vandalism of two mosques. On Dec. 13, 2015, the law enforcement agency received notification about destruction and a possible explosive device in front of a mosque. A second call was received about another mosque that was vandalized with spray paint.

Upon arrival at Ahmadiyya Muslin Community Baitus-Salaam Mosque, the officers spotted what appeared to be an explosive device that looked like a hand grenade. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad investigated the possible explosive and found it was a plastic grenade.

Also discovered was graffiti on the mosque’s fence. The police said there was a picture that resembled Jesus. The vandals used white spray paint to create the image.

Islāmic Center of Hawthorne was also the recipient of spray painting. According to the police, “Jesus is the way,” was the message left by the vandals.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), from Los Angeles, have begun investigating the cases with the Hawthorne Police Department. Both vandalism cases have been classified as hate crimes. No arrests have been made for these cases.

Two days ago, Dec. 11, 2015, police officials were called to a mosque in San Bernardino County. There was a fire in progress at the Islāmic Society of the Coachella Valley. The fire was intentionally set and the hate crime suspect has been arrested, his name is Carl James Dial Jr.